When Apple ditched the headphone jack at the launch of the iPhone 7, it at least provided its customers with a Lightning to 3.5mm adapter, either right in the box or as a $9 standalone purchase in the online store. Now it looks like that adapter is being retired.
As MacRumors first noted, the adapter is listed as sold out in most regions, along with a few other Lightning accessories, like the even more archaic-looking Lightning to VGA Adapter. This also applies to the United States, where it is not possible to order the headphone adapter in Apple's store.
The stock has run out and it seems unlikely that Apple will make more money to replenish it.
This is likely part of a general phase-out of products related to the proprietary Lightning port, which was used in many Apple devices (including the iPhone) for years but has been replaced by USB-C in all of the company's major products . A number of older iPhone models offered at lower prices – the iPhone SE and the iPhone 14 – are available today, but will likely be replaced within a few months.
Apple sells a similar adapter for connecting 3.5mm headphones to USB-C iPhones and iPads.
Nevertheless, many people still have older Lightning iPhones but haven't made the leap to wireless headphones yet. There are third-party options available that they can use – at least for now – but the popular Apple adapter appears to be following a similar script as other aging Apple accessories after their retirement.
